When traveling through northern New England, I am wont to pick up a local newspaper, to enjoy a taste of homebrew rural news that rarely filters down to Boston. Mostly, I end up reading about tragic car and drowning accidents, petty battles in local politics, drug busts in remote areas, factory and industrial plant closings, and spitfire citizens, angry about some road or traffic law that deeply disturbs their way of life.
But this weekend, there was a rare treat: I read about Linda Bean Folkers, granddaughter and heir of the LL Bean fortune, antique collector, and noted supporter of the “most radical and insane right wing causes and politicians” (here).
Linda Bean is embroiled in a dispute with the small town of Weld, Maine over a public road with access to popular camping sites and hiking trails that bisects Folker’s 2200 acres. Folkers demanded that the town gate the road, because her land is abused with “illegal dumping, campfires and motorized wheeled vehicles.” When the citizens of Weld voted 102-0 at a special town meeting to deny Folkers’ insistence, not only did Folkers dismantle a 60-year old camping shelter, she had “several mounds of dirt in front of 6-foot-deep ditches” (here) constructed on a public road.
This is not just any crazy rich person who acts as though they own the world, it’s a woman who’s fortune came mostly from hikers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Shouldn’t she encourage these activities? Shouldn’t she be happy that modern life has not made us all immune to the glory of an escape to nature? Yes, campers and hikers abuse the land… but at least they are using it.
It’s not like anyone’s dumping toxic chemicals in her backyard… this probably affects 1% of her vast land holdings. Rich people have the privilege of being optimists; why not assume most visitors respect the land? When we’re allowed to be slobs and land marauders everywhere else in life, it’s hard to remember to stop when we enter nature. If she’s concerned about illegal dumping, she should do a civic service and fund more rangers and trash removal. Maybe she should start programs to educate people about safe campfires, and how loving nature peacefully can be just as satisfying as ripping it apart with a motorbike. It would be a suitable cause for the granddaughter of LL Bean, an avid outdoors man who made billions from those who share in his passion by buying his overpriced outdoor gear.
